Unity Theatre are offering a 2 day theatre workshop for kids this July!
A chance to spend a few days exploring drama at the Unity, meet new friends, enjoy games, create characters, puppetry and more with brilliant practitioners. All abilities welcome.
Date: 27 & 28 July
Time: 10.30am - 4.00pm
Location: Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, L1 9BG
The Opera North Youth Orchestra (ONYO) forms part of the Opera North Youth Company. It serves to help dedicated young musicians transition from further or higher education into the professional world of music.
Drawing inspiration from the orchestral and opera work of Opera North, the Youth Orchestra prepares and performs two programmes of challenging repertoire each academic year. Rehearsing in the Orchestra of Opera North rehearsal studios, the Youth Orchestra provides opportunities to learn the musical and non-musical intricacies of working within a high-level orchestra whilst gaining further experience with orchestral and operatic repertoire.
Central to the programming of the Opera North Youth Orchestra is creating opportunities for the ensemble to work together and perform with soloists, conductors and ensembles from Opera North’s performing company. The Orchestra is led by conductor Oliver Rundell, and sections are coached by members of the orchestra of Opera North. Repertoire in the 26-27 Season will include:
Project 1: Dewsbury Town Hall, 1 November 2026, 3.30pm
Paul Dukas Fanfare from ‘La Péri’
Edward Elgar Serenade for Strings
Max Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
Arvo Pärt Fratres
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17
Project 2: Dewsbury Town Hall, Sunday 21 March 2027, 3.30pm
Doreen Carwithens ‘Bishop Rock’ Overture
Richard Strauss Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op.11
Amy Beach Symphony in E minor (Gaelic Symphony), Op.32
Members benefit from mentorship from the musicians and artistic team of Opera North, in addition to connecting with a variety of professional orchestral and opera conductors. The Opera North Youth Orchestra is designed to complement participants’ existing study schedule, rehearsing during school and university holidays and on selected weekends over the academic year.
The Orchestra currently has vacancies for the following instruments*:
Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp
Woodwind: Bassoon
Brass: French Horn
Percussion
* Depending on current membership, some instruments may not be auditioned this term. If your instrument is not listed, you are welcome to apply to register your interest for future opportunities.
If you play an orchestral instrument not listed above, please fill in the application form if you would like to register your interest for any future opportunity to audition.
Eligibility
Project 1 will be open to musicians aged 15-21 and performing at Grade 7+ standard on their instrument. Project 2 will be open to musicians aged 16-21 and performing at Grade 8 standard. Please refer to the FAQs section below for more information.
Application deadline
Friday 18 September
(Applications received after this date will be considered on a rolling basis, subject to vacancies)
Audition date
Saturday 26 September
How to apply
Complete the application form at the top of this page, making sure you’ve noted the audition date and requirements.
If you have any questions please get in with touch with Youth Orchestra team via onyo@operanorth.co.uk.
This year-long programme seeks to inspire, nurture and guide eight talented young singers from the North of England on their journey to studying music at a conservatoire or university.
It aims to help dedicated young musicians who are facing barriers accessing musical training at an appropriate level, including supporting those from backgrounds that are currently under-represented in the professional classical music world. Since the programme launched in 2024, we’re delighted that our Young Performers have successfully auditioned and been offered places to study Classical singing at the following institutions: Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Northern College of Music & the Royal Scottish Conservatoire.
The programme will include a mixture of group and one-to-one sessions, based at the Howard Opera Centre in Leeds. It will be designed to complement participants’ existing singing lessons, where applicable.
An individual learning plan and schedule will be created for each student, with support and oversight from Marie Claire Breen (Vocal Animateur), and input and guidance throughout the year from Opera North’s full-time staff, as well as guest performers and creatives.
The Young Performers will:
- Receive 1:1 coaching sessions throughout the year
- Work with an Opera North accompanist on solo repertoire, building towards a final recital in July at the Howard Assembly Room
- Participate in performance classes to gain valuable performance experience and receive support and insight from other Opera North Young Performers
- Receive online and in-person support with conservatoire applications, personal statement writing, regular review of individual learning plan and goals
- Receive support in creating recordings for auditions and applications and entering music festivals
- Receive language coaching from experts
- Observe Opera North mainstage rehearsals and live performances
- Be awarded a place in the Opera North Youth Chorus for the 26-27 season
Here are some key dates for this academic year:
Saturday 5 September 2026
Saturday 3 October
Saturday 7 November
Saturday 9 January 2027
Saturday 6 February
Saturday 6 March
Saturday 8 May
Saturday 5 June
July – Final recital (Date TBC)
Eligibility
Open to College, Sixth Form and University (Undergraduate) aged singers at approximately Grade 6+, who aren’t already enrolled on a full-time Music degree or programme. Please refer to the FAQs section for more information.
Applications are particularly encouraged from young musicians from under-represented ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as young people living with a disability or with caring responsibilities.
Applicants are either expected to have Grade 5 theory, or be willing to undertake additional sessions in order to achieve this.
Application deadline
Friday 3 July 2026
(Applications received after this date will be considered on a rolling basis, subject to available places)
Audition Date
Thursday 16 July 2026
How to apply
Complete the application form.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Young Performers Studio team via yps@operanorth.co.uk
*Two fully-funded places will be available, as well as partial bursaries, to support young people facing financial barriers. Payment plans will also be available, please see FAQs for more information.
Application & Audition
In order to apply, please complete the following three steps:
- Fill out the application form
- Ask your teacher to email a letter of support to: yps@operanorth.co.uk
- Send an unlisted YouTube video link of you singing 2 pieces of contrasting styles to yps@operanorth.co.uk. The entire video should be no longer than 10 minutes and can be a mixture of whole or partial pieces. Please note that your pieces do not have to be accompanied.
The Opera North Youth Orchestra (ONYO) forms part of the Opera North Youth Company. It serves to help dedicated young musicians transition from further or higher education into the professional world of music.
Drawing inspiration from the orchestral and opera work of Opera North, the Youth Orchestra prepares and performs two programmes of challenging repertoire each academic year. Rehearsing in the Orchestra of Opera North rehearsal studios, the Youth Orchestra provides opportunities to learn the musical and non-musical intricacies of working within a high-level orchestra whilst gaining further experience with orchestral and operatic repertoire and having fun!
Players travel from all over the North and Midlands to gain experience, make new friends and great music!
Rehearsal dates for the 26-27 academic year are as follows:
Autumn term – Project 1
Sunday 11 October 2026
Saturday 24 October
Sunday 25 October
Wednesday 28 October
Thursday 29 October
Friday 30 October
Sunday 1 November – Concert: Dewsbury Town Hall
Spring term – Project 2
Sunday 24th January 2027
Sunday 7th February
Sunday 21st February
Sunday 7th March
Saturday 20th March
Sunday 21 March – Concert: Dewsbury Town Hall
ACTING WORKSHOPS Further Than The Edge Productions are running weekly Open Level Acting Workshops for adults in two Camden venues. A motivating, fun and safe space for beginners, and people with experience who want to develop existing skills.
Develop your creativity, your skills of voice, space and movement, work collaboratively on improvisation and scripts, have fun, build your confidence.
These are open level workshops, so no previous acting training is required, but you must be prepared to work with other people - communicate and collaborate, and move around the space. You will also read/use extracts of playtexts/scripts.
Where and When:
2 sessions per week, 2 different venues - Wednesdays and Fridays
mornings 10am - 12.30pm
starting
Friday Oct 3rd to Dec 5th - Euston venue
and
Weds Oct 8th to Dec 10th - Swiss Cottage venue
contact@furtherthantheedge.co
Work In Theatre is an opportunity to explore, hear more about and take part in workshops about the hidden areas of theatre that people often do not know exist.
Through a variety of workshops, guest talks and practical opportunities, the group will explore areas of theatre which may include:
From Page to Stage – Directing
Audience & Outreach – Marketing
Running the Show – Stage Management
Technical Stagecraft
Character through Dress
Production Design Workshop and more!
Attendees will also see Wicked the Musical during the week on Wednesday 12th August 2026 at 2:30pm.
Bursary spaces available for those who may find price a barrier to accessing this workshop. Please email kitmiles@atgentertainment.com for more info on bursary and discounted spaces. For any further questions please email WestEndINSPIRE@atgentertainment.com
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is the organisation that underpins the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Its core aims are to support participants, assist Fringe audiences and celebrate the Fringe and what it stands for all over the world.
As an open membership organisation, we're always looking for new and diverse voices to join the conversation and help shape the future of the Society.
Membership costs £5 a year to cover administration costs and members are responsible for electing the Board of Directors, adopting the accounts and appointing the auditors each year. By choosing to become a member of the Fringe Society, you play a significant role in one of the world’s most incredible arts festivals.
Membership to the Fringe Society is annual and runs for 12 months from the point at which you join. Before your membership expires we will remind you to renew your membership so you can continue to make a contribution to the Society.
Our commitments
The founding principle at the heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – to be an open-access arts event that welcomes anyone with a story to tell and a venue to host them – still guides the work of the Society today.
It’s our policy that no single individual or committee determines who can or cannot perform on the Fringe.
The Society was formed in 1958, in recognition of the fact that more and more performers were coming to Edinburgh despite not being included in the Edinburgh International Festival programme. Its earliest tasks included providing information to artists, publishing the Fringe Programme and creating a central box office. In 1969 the Society was incorporated as a limited company and its constitution published.
Unlike many other festivals, our constitution celebrates the fact that the Society does not vet the Fringe Programme. That means we have no artistic director and that the programme is shaped by the initiative and vision of performers willing to showcase their work here.
The Fringe Society exists to:
- support, advise and encourage everyone who wants to participate in the Fringe
- provide information and assistance to help audiences curate their own Fringe experience
- celebrate the Fringe and what it stands for all over the world
- ensure the Fringe Society is sustainable, utilising its resource to the greatest benefit of the Fringe and its constituents.
The Iskador Project is an artistic development opportunity for emerging theatre-makers to explore Rudolf Steiner’s Mystery Dramas through a structured introduction course at the Marylebone Theatre.
The programme introduces Steiner’s four plays, which draw on the medieval mystery tradition and explore themes of reincarnation and spiritual influence. They are used as a stimulus for contemporary theatre-making practice.
About the course
Selected participants will take part in four deep-reading sessions exploring the plays through:
- Practical exercises
- Group discussion
- Reflective and creative response work
The sessions are designed to engage with the texts on both a dramatic and practical level, supporting new ideas for theatre development.
Development opportunity
Following the course, participants are invited to submit a proposal for a new work inspired by the material. One selected project will receive:
- £2,000 seed funding
- Dramaturgical support from Marylebone Theatre
- A public reading as part of the 2027 Iskador Project programme
Course details
- Dates: 18, 20, 25 & 27 August 2026
- Time: 5–8pm
- Location: Marylebone Theatre, London
- Cost: Free
Applications
Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter outlining their practice and interest in the course by 31 July to ruby@marylebonetheatre.com
Come in through the Stage Door and follow the route to the stage taken by thousands of performers for over 200 years!
Our two day summer school for 6-10 yr olds is led by professionals in the industry and takes place on stage at the beautiful Theatre Royal Brighton.
If your young person is excited about acting, dance, singing and crafting this is the perfect opportunity for them to have fun trying out different arts activities, culminating in an informal sharing for friends and family at the end of day 2.
Once you have booked your place, we will be in touch nearer the time with final details.
ATG INSPIRE Brighton Summer School is open to all, no experience is necessary.
Kids Week is back for 2026, offering families the chance to see top West End shows with free tickets for children throughout the summer holidays. During Kids Week, one child aged 17 and under can go free with every full-paying adult ticket, with additional children able to attend at a reduced rate.
The annual initiative gives young people and families the opportunity to experience live theatre across a wide range of productions including musicals, plays and family shows in London’s West End.
Participating productions in previous years have included long-running musicals, new plays and award-winning family favourites, alongside workshops and theatre activities designed specifically for younger audiences.